This Christmas Day episode is a discussion of Bible reading, a subject found in Charlotte Mason’s programs, but was for the child’s personal Bible reading. Emily, Liz, and Nicole discuss why this is an important habit for our children and how we can encourage our children in their own Bible reading.
Listen Now:
“We neglect the knowledge which cannot come without labor; that we forsake the earnest and devout study of the Bible, the one way of approach to the knowledge of God.
“…the Christianity of the Bible offers infinite scope for development in the beauty of holiness and in the knowledge of our illimitable God….Hence, our business is before all things, to make ourselves acquainted with the text…It is better that we should, in the first place, try our own efforts at interpretation;…orderly study with the occasional use of a sound commentary, is to be recommended…The error that underlies these aids to private devotion…is that their tendency is to magnify ourselves and our occasions, while they create little or no desire for the best knowledge. It is probable that even our lame efforts at reading with understanding are more profitable than the best instruction. Wait upon God as the dry earth waits upon water…But as the friend listens to the voice, pours over the written word of his friend, so the lover of God searches the Bible for the fuller knowledge he craves.” (4/1/82-84)
“Knowledge of God is of the firstborn affinities…to be got at most directly through the Bible. The learner knows only by the independent act of knowing which he performs for himself.” (6/254)
“The habit of hearing, and later, of reading the Bible, is one to establish at an early age.” (3/142)
“But while pressing the importance of habits of prayer and devotional reading, it should be remembered that children are little formalists by nature, and that they should not be encouraged in long readings or long prayers with a notion of any merit in such exercises.” (3/143)
“The habit of regularity in children’s devotions is very important.” (3/142)
The Naturalist’s Notebook, Nathaniel Wheelwright and Bernd Heinrich
ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals
Episode 207: Moral Development
The Parents’ Educational Course Reading List
Nicole’s Study Guide for the Planets
365-day Bible Reading Plan for Kids! by Kaylene Yoder
Meeting with Jesus: A Daily Bible Reading Plan for Kids by David Murray
Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids by David Murray
Thankyou for this lovely Christmas episode. I was excited and given many practical ideas about how to help my children start a good habit of their own bible reading when they reach the age when they can read. I wish I’d had this method and guidance myself!
I wonder – what Bible translation do you give to your children? My church uses ESV but I’ve never got on with it myself and read NIV, the older version . This is now not available and I wouldn’t be comfortable getting the newer one so I’m not sure what to give my children. I feel reluctant to give them something I don’t personally get on with so much, though I know it’s a good translation but am not sure where to go so am interested what others use.
Also I love the idea of giving them prayers to read – are there none of these resources still available even online or anything similar? Where was the prayer that you read out from?
Happy Christmas to you and your families and Thankyou for your hard work this year!
Anna
Anna,
I encourage you to read the ESV, because after awhile it will also feel comfortable to you. I personally just began reading it myself. An alternate translation would be the CSB, Christian Standard Bible, perhaps a little easier and a good translation. The prayer we read was just an excerpt from an online review–the entire book, or even longer excerpts are not available as of now. The Book of Common Prayer is still available in print today as it is used widely around the world in Anglican denominations and even by those who worship in other settings. I am glad the episode encouraged you.
Liz
Thank you for this timely and beautiful episode. How do you feel about beginning daily Bible readings with a Form 1A student who is reading well and expressing interest in reading the Bible on his own? I know the programmes do not list this until Form 2, but I’m inclined to follow the interest and begin now.
Heidi,
I think it is fine if you think he is ready. Perhaps take a book of the Bible and tackle part or all of one chapter a week and break it into daily bites, 3-5 verses. If he balks, back off. Thank you for your encouragement and I hope your son digs in for life.